Predicting Atlanta Falcons’ punishment for Kirk Cousins ​​tampering

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the punishment for the Atlanta Falcons’ tampering of Kirk Cousins ​​and the Philadelphia Eagles’ tampering of Saquon Barkley is supposed to come down this week. Since the Falcons’ alleged tampering is “bigger,” Atlanta’s punishment is believed to be greater than Philadelphia’s. With that in mind, let’s try to predict what type of punishment Atlanta might be looking at based on past precedent.

Here are two recent examples of sanctions on which the NFL could base its decision:

• The Miami Dolphins lost their 2023 first-round pick and 2024 third-round pick for tampering with quarterbacks Tom Brady and Sean Peyton.
• The Kansas City Chiefs lost their 2016 third-round pick and 2017 sixth-round pick for tampering with former Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Head coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey were also fined approximately $260,000.

Atlanta’s alleged allegations aren’t as egregious as Miami’s, especially without owner or coach intervention, but Kirk Cousins ​​​​was the best quarterback this free agency cycle, similar to Brady. With that in mind, this should be more than just the third and sixth rounds in Kansas City for Maclin.

The NFL could see how much the Falcons covet their second-round picks, as general manager Terry Fontenot moved to the second round in all four years in Atlanta, and won. Ultimately, the NFL can do what it wants, but taking away a top-100 pick and another day-three pick with fines for Atlanta’s two most well-known figures makes the most sense.

Projected punishment: 2025 second-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick. $300,000 fine to head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot.